We’re a Ramblers group aimed mainly at people in their 20s, 30s and slightly older, offering led walks and social events across Herts, Beds and south Cambs.
This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.
Part 10 of an epic long-distance trail around Hertfordshire - join us for any of these!
This section of the trail takes us through the South Hertfordshire countryside on a route that is mainly flat with a few inclines, including a mix of town and country walking through farmland, woods and parkland.
Please note this is a linear walk from Potters Bar station to Cuffley station - these are on different railway lines, see below for transport information.
There is also the option to join the walk leader for breakfast at The Admiral Byng (Wetherspoons), 186-192 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AF (we will be arriving at 09:40 to ensure time for everyone to order and eat their food). This is just 5 minutes walk from the start point (please let us know when you book your place if you would like to attend).
Setting off from Potters Bar station we take a footpath alongside the East Coast Main Line to rejoin the Hertfordshire Way at the edge of town. Passing underneath the railway and across a former golf course, we then cut through the suburbs to Morvern Park, 20 acres of historic parkland cared for by the National Trust.
Next we pass through woodland to reach the village of Northaw, formerly associated with the Abbot and monks of St. Albans Abbey. In the village we may be able to stop at St. Thomas a Becket Church.
We then continue towards Cuffley, passing the King’s Well, a chalybeate (rich in iron salts) spring. This is one of the more scenic parts of the walk, with glimpses of the adjacent countryside through the surrounding trees.
We will stop for lunch on the outskirts of Cuffley, then continue under Sopers Viaduct, which carries the Hertford Loop over the Northaw Brook. At Cuffley station we will finish the Hertfordshire Way for today (approximately 7 miles into the walk) but for those who would like a longer walk, we will continue through Cuffley for a circuit through Northaw Great Wood Country Park.
Northaw Great Wood is a local nature reserve, ancient woodland and Site of Special Scientific Interest comprised of mostly birch, oak and hornbeam. Public toilets are available here.
After leaving the wood we return through the streets of Cuffley, including some steeper ascents. Before returning to the station there will be the option of a quick drink at the Plough, close to where the first airship shot down on British soil crashed in 1916.
Transport: Potters Bar and Cuffley are on different railway lines in/out of London; Potters Bar on the East Coast Main Line and Cuffley on the Hertford Loop. The quickest and cheapest route from Cuffley to Potters Bar is via Alexandra Palace (southbound trains leave Cuffley at xx.22 and xx.55 and take 41 mins; £6.10 before any discounts).
Drivers may wish to arrange car sharing between the start and end point between themselves.
Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs, due to some road walking.
For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.
Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.
Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.
If the walk is fully booked, click 'join waitlist' to get a place if one becomes available and please check back regularly in case you do get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.
Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.
This is a linear walk.
The start time is when we aim to start walking and the finish time is an estimate.
Walks are graded Easy, Leisurely, Moderate or Strenuous in increasing order of difficulty. Please read the walk description to check it is within your abilities and contact the group if you are unsure.
Please:
We are a Ramblers group, non-members are welcome to try us out for three free walks before joining Ramblers as a full member.
As a charity we ask that non-members consider making a voluntary donation to Ramblers until they purchase membership. We suggest £3-4 per walk. You can donate in person or online.
The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE.
Potters Bar station, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AJ. Meet by the station car park entrance by Darkes Lane (what3words: ///pitch.silly.waddle). Parking at station car park £3.50. Alternatively, park at the end point Cuffley Station, Station Road, Cuffley EN6 4HY, and travel back to the start point. Parking at station car park: £3.30.
Cuffley Station, Station Road, Cuffley EN6 4HY. Parking at station car park: £3.30.
